Purdue basketball's X-Factor

Purdue guard Anthony Johnson takes a jump shot against Montevallo.

While freshman Ronnie Johnson will be the Boilermakers' starting point guard, 6-foot-3 redshirt sophomore Anthony Johnson's success backing up Ronnie Johnson (no relation) could make or break Purdue.

While freshman Ronnie Johnson will be the Boilermakers' starting point guard, 6-foot-3 redshirt sophomore Anthony Johnson's success backing up Ronnie Johnson (no relation) could make or break Purdue.

Recruited as a shooting guard out of Chicago Whitney Young High School, Anthony Johnson has not played the point since his sophomore year in high school. However, in the Boilermakers' two exhibition victories, he averaged nine points, five rebounds and 4.5 assists in 46 total minutes. More important, he was guilty of only one turnover in those 46 minutes.

If Anthony Johnson complements Ronnie Johnson at the point, Purdue fans may not miss the graduated Lewis Jackson, who ran the Boilermaker offense throughout most of his four seasons in West Lafayette.

THREE GAMES

TO WATCH

THREE GAMES
TO WATCH

Dec. 15 vs. Notre Dame in the Crossroads Classic in Indianapolis - In what will be only the second men's basketball meeting between the Indiana-based schools since Jan. 4, 1966, Purdue will match up with former Boilermaker Scott Martin, a member of Matt Painter's 2007 recruiting class that also featured Robbie Hummel, JaJuan Johnson and E'Twaun Moore. Martin transferred to Notre Dame after the 2007-2008 season, and is a sixth-year college player after suffering a knee injury.

Jan. 30 vs. Indiana in Mackey Arena - Every matchup in this rivalry is a big one for Boilermaker fans, but considering the Hoosiers are the preseason No. 1-ranked team and considering Cody Zeller and company pounded Purdue 78-61 in West Lafayette last season, you can bet Painter's team has this date circled.

Feb. 9 vs. Michigan State in Mackey Arena - While the respective coaching staffs always have gotten along well, there will be no love lost from Purdue's Paint Crew student cheering section when coveted Boilermaker recruiting target Gary Harris from Hamilton Southeastern makes his first appearance in Mackey wearing a Spartan uniform. Harris' mother, Joy Holmes-Harris, is one of the best Purdue women's players ever, and his father, Gary, Sr., also is a Purdue graduate.